Baltimore City Council Freshman Class: Burnett and Stokes Sr.

Today, we continue our series of conversations with members of the Baltimore City Council who came into office in late 2016 as part of a wave of energetic and idealistic legislators who were elected on the promise of change and new ideas.

One thing that hasn’t changed: Baltimore’s insistent and insidious plague of violence. In 2017, record numbers of Baltimoreans, lost their lives to homicide. Today we’ll focus on Baltimore City and the issues before the city council as this New Year gets underway.

Kristerfer Burnett represents the 8th district which includes the far west and southwest sides of Baltimore. He is a lifelong Baltimorean who holds a degree in African American studies from University of Maryland-College Park and a Master’s in public policy from University of Maryland Baltimore County. He was elected to the council after longtime councilwoman Helen Holton retired. Prior to joining the council he worked as the director of Community Organizing for Comprehensive Housing Assistance. He also founded the organization, Neighbors Without Borders of Greater Southwest Baltimore.

Robert Stokes Sr. represents the 12th district which includes Charles Village and Remington in the north and Jonestown in the South. Councilman Stokes is also a lifelong Baltimorean. He attended Morgan State University. He was elected to the seat formerly held by longtime city council member Carl Stokes, who ran for Mayor in 2016. Robert Stokes Sr is not related to former councilman Stokes, although prior to being elected he served as Carl Stokes’ assistant. He also worked on the campaigns of former mayor Kurt Schmoke and as a liaison for former city council president Lawrence Bell in 1998. The councilmen join Tom in studio and answer listener emails and questions.